Stage 1 Registered Report: Anomalous perception in a Ganzfeld condition - A meta-analysis of more than 40 years investigation

This meta-analysis is an investigation into anomalous perception (i.e., conscious identification of information without any conventional sensorial means). The technique used for eliciting an effect is the ganzfeld condition (a form of sensory homogenization that eliminates distracting peripheral noise). The database consists of peer-reviewed studies published between January 1974 and June 2020 inclusive. The overall effect size will be estimated using a frequentist and a Bayesian random-effect model. Moderators analyses will be used to examine the influence of level of experience of participants, the type of task and the peer-review level. Publication bias will be estimated by using four different tests. Trend analysis will be conducted with a cumulative meta-analysis and a meta-regression model with Year of publication as covariate.

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Stage 2 Registered Report: Anomalous perception in a Ganzfeld condition - A meta-analysis of more than 40 years investigation

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.51746.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 234

Author(s):

Patrizio E. Tressoldi ◽

Lance Storm

Keyword(s):

Regression Model ◽

Effect Size ◽

Close Agreement ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Questionable Research Practices ◽

Effect Model ◽

Meta Regression ◽

Stage 1

This meta-analysis is an investigation into anomalous perception (i.e., conscious identification of information without any conventional sensorial means). The technique used for eliciting an effect is the ganzfeld condition (a form of sensory homogenization that eliminates distracting peripheral noise). The database consists of studies published between January 1974 and December 2020 inclusive. The overall effect size estimated both with a frequentist and a Bayesian random-effect model, were in close agreement yielding an effect size of .088 (.04-.13). This result passed four publication bias tests and seems not contaminated by questionable research practices. Trend analysis carried out with a cumulative meta-analysis and a meta-regression model with Year of publication as covariate, did not indicate sign of decline of this effect size. The moderators analyses show that selected participants outcomes were almost three-times those obtained by non-selected participants and that tasks that simulate telepathic communication show a two-fold effect size with respect to tasks requiring the participants to guess a target. The Stage 1 Registered Report can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.24868.3

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Stage 1 Registered Report: Anomalous perception in a Ganzfeld condition - A meta-analysis of more than 40 years investigation

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.24868.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 826

Author(s):

Patrizio E. Tressoldi ◽

Lance Storm

Keyword(s):

Trend Analysis ◽

Publication Bias ◽

Effect Size ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Model ◽

Moderator Analysis ◽

Level Of Experience ◽

Stage 1

This meta-analysis is an investigation into anomalous perception (i.e., conscious identification of information without any conventional sensorial means). The technique used for eliciting an effect is the ganzfeld condition (a form of sensory homogenization that eliminates distracting peripheral noise). The database consists of peer-reviewed studies published between January 1974 and June 2020 inclusive. The overall effect size will be estimated using a frequentist model and a Bayesian random model. Moderator analysis will be used to examine the influence of level of experience of participants and the type of task. Publication bias will be estimated by using three different tests. Trend analysis will be conducted on the cumulative database.

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Socioeconomic Factors and Caries in People between 19 and 60 Years of Age: An Update of a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15081775 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (8) ◽

pp. 1775 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Simone Costa ◽

Carolina Martins ◽

Mânia Pinto ◽

Mara Vasconcelos ◽

Mauro Abreu

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Socioeconomic Indicators ◽

Effect Model ◽

Statistical Heterogeneity ◽

Newcastle Ottawa Scale ◽

Meta Regression ◽

Ottawa Scale

This study is aimed to perform an update of a systematic review and meta-regression to evaluate the effect modification of the socioeconomic indicators on caries in adults. We included studies that associated social determinants with caries, with no restriction of year and language. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the risk of bias. With regard to the meta-analysis, statistical heterogeneity was evaluated by I2, and the random effect model was used when it was high. A subgroup analysis was conducted for socioeconomic indicators, and a meta-regression was performed. Publication bias was assessed through Egger’s test. Sixty-one studies were included in the systematic review and 25 were included in the meta-analysis. All of the studies were published between 1975 and 2016. The most frequent socioeconomic indicators were schooling, income, and socioeconomic status (SES). In the quantitative analysis, the DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) variation was attributed to the studies’ heterogeneity. The increase of 10.35 units in the proportion of people with lower SES was associated with an increase of one unit in DMFT, p = 0.050. The findings provide evidence that populations with the highest proportions of people with low SES are associated with a greater severity of caries. The results suggest the need for actions to reduce the inequalities in oral health (PROSPERO [CRD42017074434]).

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A Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Learning with Robots in Early Childhood Education in Korea

International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning ◽

10.4018/ijmbl.2019070104 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 55-63

Author(s):

Sung-Deok Park ◽

Eun-Jung Kim ◽

Kyung-Chul Kim

Keyword(s):

Young Children ◽

Effect Size ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Moderator Variables ◽

Social Nature ◽

Effect Model

This meta-analysis examines the effects of learning with robots (r-learning) on young children and, on this basis, gives suggestions for using robotics in education for young children. A test of homogeneity was performed for 27 Korean studies done between 2008 and 2016 and a random effect model introduced to reveal the effect sizes. The overall effect size was medium to large at 0.72. After analyzing gaps in effect sizes with different categorical moderator variables, the authors found significant differences depending on platform type, activity type, dependent variables for r-learning effect, and age. The study also investigates relationships between effect size and continuous moderator variables such as treatment period and year of publication. The meta-regression model showed a significantly negative relationship between effect size and year of publication. Thus, effects of r-learning on a young child are generally beneficial, and r-learning also improves variables like a child's social nature, though conversely the effect on language development appears below average.

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Effectiveness of blended learning in pharmacy education: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0252461 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. e0252461

Author(s):

Athira Balakrishnan ◽

Sandra Puthean ◽

Gautam Satheesh ◽

Unnikrishnan M. K. ◽

Muhammed Rashid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Blended Learning ◽

Effect Size ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Pharmacy Education ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Control Group ◽

Effect Model

Background & objective Though blended learning (BL), is widely adopted in higher education, evaluating effectiveness of BL is difficult because the components of BL can be extremely heterogeneous. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of BL in improving knowledge and skill in pharmacy education. Methods PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify published literature. The retrieved studies from databases were screened for its title and abstracts followed by the full-text in accordance with the pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Methodological quality was appraised by modified Ottawa scale. Random effect model used for statistical modelling. Key findings A total of 26 studies were included for systematic review. Out of which 20 studies with 4525 participants for meta-analysis which employed traditional teaching in control group. Results showed a statistically significant positive effect size on knowledge (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91 to 1.78, p<0.00001) and skill (SMD: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.19 to 1.16; p = 0.006) using a random effect model. Subgroup analysis of cohort studies showed, studies from developed countries had a larger effect size (SMD: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.06), than studies from developing countries(SMD: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.65, studies with MCQ pattern as outcome assessment had larger effect size (SMD: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.76 to 3.85) than non-MCQs (SMD 0.53, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.74), and BL with case studies (SMD 2.72, 95% CI 1.86–3.59) showed better effect size than non-case-based studies (SMD: 0.22, CI: 0.02 to 0.41). Conclusion BL is associated with better academic performance and achievement than didactic teaching in pharmacy education.

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Alteration of Postural Balance in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11010127 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 127

Author(s):

David Núñez-Fuentes ◽

Esteban Obrero-Gaitán ◽

Noelia Zagalaz-Anula ◽

Alfonso Javier Ibáñez-Vera ◽

Alexander Achalandabaso-Ochoa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Postural Balance ◽

Fibromyalgia Syndrome ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Functional Balance ◽

Sensory Organization ◽

Effect Model

Balance problems are one of the most frequent symptoms in patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). However, the extent and nature of this balance disorder are not known. The objective of this work was to determine the best evidence for the alteration of postural balance in patients with FMS and analyze differences with healthy controls. To meet this objective, a systematic review with meta-analysis was performed. A bibliographical search was carried out in PubMed Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and SciELO. Observational studies that assessed postural balance in patients with FMS compared to healthy subjects in baseline conditions, were selected. In a random-effect model, the pooled effect was calculated with the Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Nineteen studies reporting data of 2347 participants (95% female) were included. FMS patients showed poor balance with a large effect on static (SMD = 1.578; 95% CI = 1.164, 1.992), dynamic (SMD = 0.946; 95% CI = 0.598, 1.294), functional balance (SMD = 1.138; 95% CI = 0.689, 1.588) and on balance confidence (SMD = 1.194; 95% CI = 0.914, 1.473). Analysis of the Sensory Organization Test showed large alteration of vestibular (SMD = 1.631; 95% CI = 0.467, 2.795) and visual scores (SMD = 1.317; 95% CI = 0.153, 2.481) compared to healthy controls. Patients with FMS showed worse scores for different measures of postural balance compared to healthy controls. Concretely, FMS patients appear to have poor vestibular and visual scores with a possible somatosensory dependence.

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Magnitude and determinants of neural tube defect in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-021-03848-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Atlaw ◽

Yohannes Tekalegn ◽

Biniyam Sahiledengle ◽

Kenbon Seyoum ◽

Damtew Solomon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Neural Tube ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Folic Acid Supplementation ◽

Maternal Exposure ◽

X Ray ◽

Effect Model ◽

Pooled Prevalence

Abstract Background Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of disorders that arise from the failure of the neural tube close between 21 and 28 days after conception. About 90% of neural tube defects and 95% of death due to these defects occurs in low-income countries. Since these NTDs cause considerable morbidity and mortality, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of NTDs in Africa. Methods The protocol of this study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO number: CRD42020149356). All major databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, African Journals Online (AJOL), and Google Scholar search engine were systematically searched. A random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of NTDs in Africa, and Cochran’s Q-statistics and I2 tests were used to assess heterogeneity between included studies. Publication bias was assessed using Begg ’s tests, and the association between determinant factors and NTDs was estimated using a random-effect model. Results Of the total 2679 articles, 37 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of NTDs in Africa was 50.71 per 10,000 births (95% CI: 48.03, 53.44). Folic acid supplementation (AOR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.19–0.85), maternal exposure to pesticide (AOR: 3.29; 95% CI: 1.04–10.39), mothers with a previous history of stillbirth (AOR: 3.35, 95% CI: 1.99–5.65) and maternal exposure to x-ray radiation (AOR 2.34; 95% CI: 1.27–4.31) were found to be determinants of NTDs. Conclusions The pooled prevalence of NTDs in Africa was found to be high. Maternal exposure to pesticides and x-ray radiation were significantly associated with NTDs. Folic acid supplementation before and within the first month of pregnancy was found to be a protective factor for NTDs.

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Efficacy of interventions to increase physical activity for people with heart failure: a meta-analysis

Open Heart ◽

10.1136/openhrt-2021-001687 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. e001687

Author(s):

Aliya Amirova ◽

Theodora Fteropoulli ◽

Paul Williams ◽

Mark Haddad

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Heart Failure ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Behavioural Change ◽

Mode Of Delivery ◽

Random Effect ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Action Planning ◽

Exercise Programme ◽

Effect Model

ObjectivesThis meta-analysis aims to (1) evaluate the efficacy of physical activity interventions in heart failure and (2) to identify intervention characteristics significantly associated with the interventions’ efficacy.MethodsRandomised controlled trials reporting intervention effects on physical activity in heart failure were combined in a meta-analysis using a random-effect model. Exploratory meta-analysis was performed by specifying the general approach (eg, cardiac rehabilitation), strategies used (eg, action planning), setting (eg, centre based), mode of delivery (eg, face to face or online), facilitator (eg, nurse), contact time and behavioural change theory use as predictors in the random-effect model.ResultsInterventions (n=21) had a significant overall effect (SMD=0.54, 95% CI (0.13 to 0.95), p<0.0005). Combining an exercise programme with behavioural change intervention was found efficacious (SMD=1.26, 95% CI (0.26 to 2.26), p<0.05). Centre-based (SMD=0.98, 95% CI (0.35 to 1.62), and group-based (SMD=0.89, 95% CI (0.29 to 1.50),) delivery by a physiotherapist (SMD=0.84, 95% CI (0.03 to 1.65),) were significantly associated with efficacy. The following strategies were identified efficacious: prompts/cues (SMD=3.29, 95% CI (1.97 to 4.62)), credible source (standardised mean difference, SMD=2.08, 95% CI (0.95;3.22)), adding objects to the environment (SMD=1.47, 95% CI (0.41 to 2.53)), generalisation of the target behaviour SMD=1.32, 95% CI (0.22 to 2.41)), monitoring of behaviour by others without feedback (SMD=1.02, 95% CI (0.05 to 1.98)), self-monitoring of outcome(s) of behaviour (SMD=0.79, 95% CI (0.06 to 1.52), graded tasks (SMD=0.73, 95% CI (0.22 to 1.24)), behavioural practice/rehearsal (SMD=0.72, 95% CI (0.26 to 1.18)), action planning (SMD=0.62, 95% CI (0.03 to 1.21)) and goal setting (behaviour) (SMD=0.56, 95% CI (0.03 to 1.08)).ConclusionThe meta-analysis suggests intervention characteristics that may be suitable for promoting physical activity in heart failure. There is moderate evidence in support of an exercise programme combined with a behavioural change intervention delivered by a physiotherapist in a group-based and centre-based settings.PROSPERO registerationCRD42015015280.

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